Hi, I'm new to lifting weights, and I was hoping I could get some input on an apparent problem. My grandfather had a gold gym xr5 in storage for several years and I figured I would set it up and use it for a bit every day before work and before bed. I found a problem though. From what I have read you are supposed to keep your eyes under the bar when racked, that way when you unrack it is inline with your shoulders. With this bench you can't scoot down far enough on it, because it has part of the bench's frame going up between your legs. I litterally have my crotch touching the frame, and the bar still sits ~ 3 inches below (out of line) with my shoulders when unracked. I'm only 5'10, so I wouldn't think I'm too tall.

*picture of an xr10, but the design is basically the same

There is a stock image of the same bench being used with the back in an elevated position, but I was under the impression that is a more difficult press to do . I'm not the absolute weakest person in the world, but It hurts my shoulders to even press a 36 lb (makeshift) bar, much less the bar + weight. I recentlly lost alot of muscle mass from a medical issue that left me essentially bedridden for nearly 2 1/2 months, but even then, I'm 185 lbs, so it really bothers me that I'm limited to less than 40 lbs. Any ideas ?

This post was edited by skyeye on Dec 6 2017 09:44am

Just an observation -

you said you will use it every day before work and before you go to bed


Thats a bench press, you dont want to be bench pressing every day, let alone twice a day. Exercising right before bed is not a good idea too. Firstly you're going to be tired and more prone to injury, secondly it will eventually wake you up and you might not be able to sleep afterwards. + youd need to shower too unless ur a god damn mongoloid

Shoulder pain in the bench press is a form issue (assuming no injuries), you likely have you shoulders rounded forward, a typical non lifter diablo 2 playing physique. Shoulder impingement is the likely cause of pain if i had to guess

I know its a stock photo so assuming yours is the same specs, thats a really aggressive incline angle, putting a lot more pressure on your front delts, and taking most of your chest out of the movement.



tl;dr - join a cheap ass gym nearby and throw that thing in the bin

On the every day thing, I'm not planning on maxing every day, I'm looking more to build up a bit of endurance. following this logic people shouldn't go for a short walk every day.

Seemingly trollish response thinking I meant working out litterally right before I jump in bed. And no, I do not get physically tired with my job, so that is an irrelevant point.

The whole point of my posting this was to see if it is a genuinely bad bench design, or if I was supposed to use it on an incline. Again, from what I read, if you are 3" out of line with your shoulders because you can't scoot down far enough to not hit the rack, obviously that is an issue. I haven't seen a single video on y/t where the persons arms have to be @ a 85 degree angle to physically clear the rack, vs the 90 degrees that everyone else is at. Really seems like a design problem.

This post was edited by skyeye on Dec 6 2017 10:07am

Lol

Probably one of the most serious responses I've ever seen from ladsy and this is how this troglodyte responds.

, you need to calm your tits first of all. And second, when someone who has succeeded in fitness gives you advice, I wouldn't be condescending.

As for doing bench every day/twice a day.. You need to give your body time to rest before attacking it again. Because of this, they say you should do these kinds of 'big' movements like squat, bench and deadlift 1-2 times a week at most.

You asked for advice, and he delivered.. Albeit maybe in a fashion that isn't best suited for sensitive gamers, but you got it. Join a gym, find a work out regime, don't do incline bench twice a day.

If what he had said indicated he had even tried to understand the issue I am having, I would have listened. To exaggerate the problem I am having so you can get what I'm saying, try and bench a bar, but keep it over your navel. Doesn't sound correct does it? It should be inline with your shoulders, correct? Yeah, he is probably correct on me having my shoulders rounded forward, which is why I didn't disagree with him on that. Back when I was in school, I was in worse shape than I am now, and I was able to bench 125 (not great obviously) but the bench let me get in line with the bar.

take a pic of yourself on the bench or even better, a short film of you benching the bar


that way we can fully understand the problem and look at form too

for the record i ignored your bench press problems because it is a piece of poo poo bench, and your bigger issues are

- wanting to bench 2 x day
- your shoulders hurting while benching 36 lbs

This post was edited by Excusemem8 on Dec 6 2017 10:24am

Take his advice, junk the bench and join a gym.

Are you a girl? In this case ur bench is good for incline bench you would need to do other lifts tho not just bench etc running or jogging for endurance leg presses squats cleans dead lift if u want stuff to do everyday would be curls up right rows sit ups push ups running or jogging bend over rows but for benching u would want to do this maybe twice a week and ofc dont max out even little reps will help but dont do it every day. You seem to not want anyones advice but are crying for attention hope this helps you can still use that bench maybe check youtube for a video on how professionals use it sure they will show you.

I'm rather hesitant to post pics of myself anywhere. This should give an idea of what I am talking about though. the red is how my arms are because I can't scoot further down the bench, and the green dots are inline with my shoulders.

* having an issue with img tags id say, http://uploads.im/9eC3r.png